Eric Laub is a co-founder and senior partner at On365 Partners, a strategic investor relations consulting firm for life science companies. With over 28 years of Wall Street experience in institutional equities and investor relations, Eric brings experienced investor perspectives to clients' most important business decisions. Eric currently stands as Fortitude's Head Senior Advising Executive.
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Victoria Laub trained as a competitive figure skater for over ten years before becoming an NCAA Division I rower at The University of Alabama. Throughout her athletic career, she battled numerous severe injuries, which led her to become knowledgeable about sports-related injury depression (SRID). Victoria discovered that she was not alone in her struggles and that what she went through was not "just a part of being injured." Motivated by her experiences, Victoria created Fortitude Foundations, a community for those experiencing sports-related injury depression. Fortitude promotes a hopeful, nurturing, and supportive environment where professionals are accessible to those struggling and to their loved ones. This safe space fosters more conversations around SRID and athletic mental health, aiming to raise awareness among parents, friends, family, athletes, coaches, athletic directors, and training staff. Victoria's passion is to spread awareness of sports-related injury depression and provide resources to help those who feel alone navigate this challenging time. She is committed to being a cheerleader for anyone who needs support. Through Fortitude, Victoria continues to advocate for understanding and assistance for athletes facing mental health challenges related to their injuries. Victoria is available for educational webinars targeted towards coaches, parents, and athletes, as well as one-on-one work with individuals. Reach out with inquiries at: [email protected] or on Instagram @vic.laub
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David Merson is a graduate of Boston University in the Bachelor of Science Athletic Training Program in 2006 and Doctor of Physical Therapy Program in 2009. David is a Doctor of Physical Therapy/Licensed Physical Therapist and Certified/Licensed Athletic Trainer who works as a Body Coach at TB12 Performance and Recovery Center in Foxboro, MA. Prior to working at TB12, he worked as a Clinical Director/Physical Therapist at a Boston area physical therapy clinic. Dr. Merson works with athletes of all ages and sports. He has been extensively involved with treating competitive figure skaters over the recent years. David has traveled for Team USA for an ISU Grand Prix competition this past fall, and served as a physical therapist/athletic trainer for 2016 ISU Figure Skating World Championships and for the 2014 US National Championships in Boston, MA. In addition to his figure skating experience, David has served as a member of the gameday soccer operations staff of the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer for the last 23 years. Other experiences with professional soccer have included MLS Cup Championships, International Friendlies, and many other tournaments. The sport of soccer has sparked his interest in the world of sports medicine. David is excited to serve as advisor to the Fortitude Foundation as the foundation grows and develops. Contact Information [email protected]
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My name is Florian Ziegler. I am a student of sport science, geography and biology at the University of Basel in Switzerland. Next to my studies I work in a fitness center as a personal trainer. I am a specialist in the electric muscle stimulation (EMS) training in which topic I wrote my bachelor's thesis where I did research on the effects of Whole Body-EMS compared to different common training techniques. Personally I have a track and field background and I'm currently playing American football in the highest league in Switzerland. I proudly have the opportunity to represent my country in the national team. In both track and field and American football I was able to gain experience in coaching.
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My name is Keir Anstey. As a teenager I was an aspiring footballer and played for Norwich City FC (current Premier League team). Sadly, knee injuries played a part in me being released by the club. I was offered a place at Brighton University to study to become a Physical Education teacher. During my time at university I was playing for the university football team first team as well as semi-professionally at weekends. I finished university with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors and QTS status. My knee meant an end to playing football and a transfer from teaching PE to history. I'm currently a head of house at large comprehensive school in England.
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Todd Sabol is a board certified and licensed athletic trainer in Ohio. He was born in Akron, Ohio and grew up being involved in various athletics. After suffering two devastating foot injuries as a freshman in high school, he found his passion for athletic training and sports medicine during the rehabilitation process with his school athletic trainer. He went on to study athletic training and play soccer at Marietta College where he graduated in 2015. Upon graduation he continued his athletic training education at Ohio University where he earned a Master of Science. During his time at OU, he was a full-time student, head athletic trainer at New Lexington High School and was able launch his own sports medicine-based business. Todd’s areas of interest in sports medicine include lower extremity functional examination, gross anatomy and entrepreneurship. Todd is currently still the athletic trainer at New Lexington High School and is continuing to grow his side businesses. In his free time, he enjoys weight training and spending time with his fiancé Emily and their beagle, Zeke. He aims to open his own cash-based rehabilitation and recovery clinic in the next 5 years and be fully self-employed.
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My name is Rachel Audrey and I am a licensed personal trainer through NASM, wellness and life coach. I didn’t always start out on this path, as a previous pharmacy student I changed my major after loosing 70lbs and being able to do that on my own not only was it a huge challenge to overcome both mentally and physically but I overcame depression and anxiety that follows along with it. After being a patient of a bad car accident in 2008 I never thought I would be able to lift weights again due to suffering multiple herniated/bulging discs in my neck. And again in 2017 suffering a grade III calf strain with a case of DOMS, I never thought I would gain the strength in my legs to squat again or run on a treadmill. But both times overcoming the challenges I was faced, not giving up, not quitting and not letting my mind get the best of me. Now I lift upper body 3x a week, and squat heavier than I ever have before. I want to reach as many people as I can to help educate them about injury prevention as well as showing them if they are injured they have the support system to get through it and are not alone. Do not hide your story, your injuries do not define you!
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Daniel I. Schacht, LICSW is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Natick, Massachusetts. For over 20 years he has provided psychotherapy to adolescents, adults, couples and families. In addition, he offers clinical supervision and has taught at several graduate schools in the Greater Boston area. He believes that in a manner similar to how exercise increases the strength of your body’s muscles, psychotherapy increases your emotional muscles and enables you to more easily and constructively handle the stress of life. One of his main tasks is to help clients become stronger and more flexible in their ability to tolerate and manage their emotions. Mr. Schacht is pleased to be involved with the work of the Fortitude Foundation and to support young athletes in adjusting to the unexpected circumstances that can effect their athletic activities and lives. More information about Mr. Schacht and his clinical work can be found at his website: DanielSchachtMSW.com.
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My name is Lauren Olson and I am 28 years old. I live in the Detroit area. I have a BA in History as well as an MBA from Wayne State University and am very proud to have gone to school there. I am also an advisor for Alpha Gamma Delta sorority at the University. Giving back to an organization that changed my life fulfills me. I have been a virtual health and fitness coach for almost three years, where I teach women how to take back control of their life, starting with their health. This job and seeing how women become empowered brings me so much joy that I will never stop doing it. Both of these things were made possible because of the decision to go to my “safety” school, when my other options didn’t work out, partially because of sports, related injuries. I am excited to work with this organization and show how, even though sports injuries can be devastating, they don’t have to define you.
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Dr. Meg Manning is a licensed psychologist who specializes in autism diagnostic evaluations and neurodevelopmental assessments of toddlers and preschool children. Dr. Manning received her PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She completed her training in the Department of Psychiatry and Developmental Medicine Center at Children’s Hospital Boston, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital. Dr. Manning also conducts a neuropsychological assessment for school age children for a wide range of concerns including ADHD, learning disorders, communication disorders, and social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. She also attends school meetings, provides parent consultation, and follows children over time as needed. Dr. Manning is also currently on the faculty at the University of Massachusetts Medical School where she is involved in research on children with autism, intellectual disabilities, and Down syndrome. Licensed Psychologist Neurodevelopmental Specialist
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"Mental and emotional health is just as paramount as the injury that causes it. Having been a patient of ACL reconstruction surgery in June of 2018, I can attest to the emotional rollercoaster that a person encounters throughout each phase of recovery. In my opinion, it is essential that the pre-surgery education guidelines and FAQs are modified to include a list of potential sports therapists, mental health therapists, and/or support groups. It is not enough to suggest that physical therapy and "at-home" rehab will cure the invisible scars that are left as a heavy burden on the minds of patients. We can do better. I want to support igniting the change that is needed to respect mental health therapy in the same way physical therapy is regarded." Kerry Morris, Massachusetts @lifeisajourknee
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